DEBT NEGLECTOR TALKS POLITICS PUNK AND THEIR NEW LP ‘KINDA RIPS’
Punk rock was born out of an insatiable hunger to be heard. Historically, governing systems haven’t been particularly kind to their people. Still, even during high-stakes political tension, those same communities gathered together to create resonant art. Enter Debt Neglector, a Florida punk band that prioritizes punk’s core values. They shamelessly scream from the rooftops as another oligarch world leader commands unnecessary injustice onto the rest of us for personal gain. Now, more than ever, Debt Neglector is motivated to provide comfort to themselves and their audience through music. Their latest forthright LP, ‘Kinda Rips,’ erupts with the same unpredictability as Florida’s weather climate. They are also incredibly self-aware, ready to indulge the curiosity of a nosy journalist.
Debt Neglector are no strangers to the music scene. The group formed nearly a decade ago, giving them leverage to define and refine their sound. Moreover, the political climate hasn’t gotten less tumultuous since its initial onset. If anything, it has only grown more complex and divided. Punk rock has always been necessary, but now, it’s a lifeline for many. It is a sacred third space that brings communities together when everything else aims to tear them apart. “The ‘right now-ness of it all’ has been going on for 10 years. Politics has always kinda been a part of it. Alex (Goldfarb) writes all the lyrics. He’s branched into some personal matters about being a dad now and just dealing with mental health and shit like that. So, ‘Kinda Rips’ isn’t as politically driven as it was in the past, but it’s still pretty prominent,” admits guitarist Chris Pfister.
Though Debt Neglector’s recent release is less inherently politically driven, politics remains at everyone’s mind. For most, it’s nearly impossible to exist without feeling its impact. United States politics are like a car crash or a dumpster fire; the scene is such a disaster that you can’t help but look away, causing more traffic buildup by adding your commentary. Still, everyone deserves an outlet to express their heaviest feelings, whether from the perspective of musicians or fans. The group’s approach may have shifted, but their result remains the same: sonic catharsis, resistance, and resilience.
“Even with all those things, I think the political environment is contributing to that stuff for Alex and the rest of us,” continues drummer Zach Anderson. “It’s just influencing us across the board, with our general demeanor and perspective.”
These are valid points, as avoiding turning on the news at any given time is tremendously challenging. Looking at it causes anxiety, but not looking at it also causes anxiety. Debt Neglector seemingly lives under the same ethos that I do—if I don’t joke to cope, I’ll die. So, despite such heavy themes looming over their music, their personalities are motivated by good vibes. There’s a delicate balance to be upheld in any punk band, where drawing the lines between optimism and pessimism can become blurry if you take yourself too seriously. “The thing is, we're all pretty goofy dudes, especially Burns, our guitar player. He's just a goofy little guy. But when we play shows, it's like we're trying to have fun in between songs with banter and be like, ‘Anyway, sorry, this next song's about how everything fucking sucks,’” laughs Pfister.
Musically, they have achieved a similarly impressive balance between modernity and nostalgia. Their sound leans heavily towards the greats, like Bad Religion or the Descendents. However, they continually put their twist on familiarity, showcasing a unique perspective that drives the genre forward. Some pop-punk moments are sprinkled throughout, solidifying their forward-thinking mentality with melodic nods to Blink-182. They have moved from DIY punk houses to larger venues, never losing sight of their passion and intensity. Instead, the realities of growing up have refined their sound into what eventually became ‘Kinda Rips.’ They even surprised themselves, integrating new elements like samples throughout.
“This was kind of the first time we leaned into that. And it's interesting, too, because I think it's a pretty common thing, just like our musical influences. Maybe some of the stuff I listen to more so than the rest of the guys in the band, but we've already done that,” suggests Anderson.
Of course, playing in a band often requires stepping outside of one's comfort zone. Thankfully, Debt Neglector trusts each other as individual collaborators, so it’s easy to agree, even when an idea isn’t up to speed for one member. “I was probably the curmudgeon of the group. They're like, can we dial it back and pick and choose some of these? And at the end of the day, we just fucking went with it. I'm still not thrilled on the trombone, but everybody else loves it, so whatever,” laughs Pfister.
“The trombone is the best one! I don’t know why he doesn’t like the trombone,” argues Anderson.
Regardless, arguing among peers about samples rather than human rights crises must be nice. The band remains committed to its DIY ethos, whether they show it by playing at local venues or uplifting other artists. At the surface, Debt Neglector has a lot of distorted guitars and raspy melodic lead vocals. Under it lies a group dedicated to connection and community in a world that aims to drive everyone apart. Their self-awareness, gusto, and empathy will keep Debt Neglector strong for many upcoming album cycles.